Photo by Howard A. Gitelson

On flute Tabackin stands alone as a pioneer in the fusion of Asian melody and jazz. Unlike the aggressive, in-your-face New York sound on tenor Lew's flute playing evokes exotic, subtle beauty and is simultaneously airy and earthy. He has constantly placed near the top for jazz flute on critics readers polls for decades.

Photo by Howard A. Gitelson

Lew Tabackin's interest in music began in his birthplace, Philadelphia, where he first studied flute and then tenor saxophone in high school. He majored in flute at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music.

After his U.S. Army service (1962-65), Mr. Tabackin moved to New Jersey and then to New York, where he played first with Tal Farlow and Don Friedman and later in the big bands led by Cab Calloway, Les and Larry Elgart, Maynard Ferguson, Joe Henderson, Chuck Israels, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Clark Terry, and Duke Pearson. During the late 1960's, Mr. Tabackin led a trio at a club called La Boheme in Philadelphia, in addition to playing in smaller groups with Donald Byrd, Roland Hanna, Elvin Jones, and Attila Zoller. In those early years he worked with Doc Severinsen and the studio band for Dick Cavett's television show. He also spent some time in Europe, where he was a soloist with various orchestras, including the Danish Radio Orchestra and the Hamburg Jazz Workshop.

Photo by Don Berryman

While in Los Angeles, Mr. Tabackin also played with Shelley Manne and with various trios of his own with Billy Higgins, John Heard, and Charlie Haden. He also toured Japan frequently with Ms. Akiyoshi and her orchestra as well as with his own trio, which included drummer Joey Baron and bassist Michael Moore.

During the 1980's he began to get some long overdue recognition as a flutist, winning many Down Beat critic's and reader's polls. In 1982 Mr. Tabackin and Ms. Akiyoshi moved to New York, which brought him back to the Manhattan jazz scene. Since then he has solidified his position as a major tenor saxophone and flute artist. In 1990 Mr. Tabackin released his first disc for Concord, Desert Lady, featuring Hank Jones, Dave Holland, and Victor Lewis, followed by the acclaimed I'll Be Seeing You with Benny Green, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash. In 1994 the same group recorded What a Little Moonlight Can Do. Mr. Tabackin has also been associated with several all-star bands, including George Wein's Newport All-Star Band, the New York Jazz Giants, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band.

LEW TABACKIN'S "SPIRITS OF NEW YORK"
LEW TABACKIN (tenor sax/flute) TOM HARRELL (trumpet)
VICTOR LEWIS (drums) RAY DRUMMOND (bass)
Wednesday, August 31 through Saturday, September 3 - show times 9&11pm
Music Charge: $30 Birdland is located at 315 West 44th street between 8th and 9th avenues in Manhattan. Call (212) 581-3080 for reservations and information.